Author & Speaker

Menu

About Mary

Mary Penich, a retired teacher and administrator, has published more than 1000 weekly reflections in the St. Paul the Apostle Messenger in addition to articles in the Family Time pull-out of the Lake County News-Sun Newspaper and the Carmelite Review Magazine. Mary published her first children's book I DON'T LIKE MICE in 2009 and her second, OH NO! IT'S THURSDAY!, in 2011. She has also published three daily devotionals, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT... FOR LENT, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT... FOR CHRISTMASTIME AND WINTER DAYS, and SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT... FOR LENT AND EASTERTIME. Mary appreciates every opportunity to share her life experiences and faith journey through her writing with both children and adults. Mary, a native of Chicago, now resides in Gurnee, Illinois.

Unappreciated Treasure

There is an adage which addresses our frequent failure to realize what we have until we lose it. At one time or another, we all experience this type of loss when it is too late. I remember how eagerly I awaited the start of high school, only to find that I missed the comfort of my junior high school friends when I got there. I was thrilled to change schools during my teaching career until the first day I walked into the teachers’ lounge and realized that I didn’t know a soul. Though our only dog drove me nuts most of the time, I missed Ernie terribly when he died.

Like the Pharisees who rejected Jesus, my list of lost and unappreciated treasures is far too long. Fortunately for me, one precious gift remains a constant in my life. I was born to parents of faith who relied on God in good times and in bad. My mom and dad shared their faith with me quite tangibly. As a result, my faith is a constant in my life, part and parcel of everything I do. When I lose something I should have appreciated more, I find great consolation in knowing that God will never do the same regarding me. Though I sometimes forsake God’s gifts, God will never ever forsake me.

Dear God, open my eyes to the treasures around me, especially to the people you have given me to love. Help me to appreciate these treasures and to share them and myself generously.